Self Awareness from Circle of Wisdom : : A Path for Life, Mind and Leadership By Dr. Robert C. Stone

Wisdom is attained through aging but not everyone as they get older attains it. that is because, we don't always learn from life lessons that we have experienced through business and personal relationships.

Circle of Wisdom is a wonderful book with learnings from

Circle 1 - need to change

Circle 2 - decision making and continous learning

Circle 3 - Courage to face the problem

Circle 4 - letting go and foregiveness

Happy Chinese New Year 2016

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Aala maram, National Tree in India

The tradition of worshipping 'sacred' trees is prevalent among the people following Hinduism, since ages. Rig Veda and Atharva Veda stipulate that trees should be worshipped, for their inevitable role in human life. Banyan is considered one among the sacred trees.

We can protect from cutting these tree and plant for its significance. 

Ginger Tea for Cold Season

Easy to make home made remedy for cold

Don't take life too seriously.....

Goddess Sri Varalakshmi & why is her Visit to house important?

It is said that Lakshmi will enter the house of anyone who thinks of her and bless them. There are many festivals in the year dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. Among them, Varalakshmi Vratham is considered very auspicious because it is marked by strict observance of certain practices and austerities. It is also called Varalakshmi Nonbu.

The name Vishnu really means pervading everywhere, and Lakshmi, his consort, is symbolical of the forces found everywhere. Eight forces or energies are recognised and they are known as Sri (Wealth), Bhu (Earth), Sarasvati (Learning), Priti (Love), Kirti (Fame), Santi (Peace), Tushti (Pleasure) and Pushti (Strength). Each one of these forces is called a Lakshmi and all the eight forces are called the Ashta Lakshmis or the eight Lakshmis of the Hindus. As health, wealth and prosperity depend upon the rythmic play of these forces, the worship of Lakshmi is said to be to obtain these three. Hence this festival is observed, invoking the blessings of Lakshmi.

Get Ready to invite Sri Varalakshmi to visit your house.

Do you need a reason to be happy?

Quote by Deepak Chopra: “Be happy for no reason, like a child. If you are happy for a reason, you’re in trouble because that reason can be taken from you.”

Own your happiness. Don’t be happy for any reason except because you’re YOU. When you feel happy on the inside, it sticks with you, even on days when things don’t go well. You can have problems but still be a happy person. 

When you know who you are and what you feel inside make you happy, you can own it. Our minds are conditioned that there needs to be reason to be happy. There is one simple reason that you and me and everybody like us are not happy and the reason is repressed feelings. Since childhood we are taught to repress our feelings and behave against our nature so that we look like civilized human beings

We need to learn to feel our feelings and respect our feelings, respect our human nature so that we can let go of our repressed feelings and feel happy again like the uncivilized child that we were when we were born. If each one of us learns to behave naturally then we'd have a happy planet 

The key is being happy with and loving yourself. Then you own the power to be a happy person!

What is faith?

Many People would feel stuck.  They can’t move their lives forward because they don’t have the necessary faith in themselves. Doubts, fears from the past rear their heads.  Consequently, the action we take is often miscalculated, off target or not effective.

Faith is a gift bestowed on humankind, not to be dissected and judged but received thankfully. It requires wholehearted acceptance through a willing suspension of disbelief. Your body can’t go where your mind has never been .What we need to do first is convince our self that we can do it, nurture faith in ourselves, and then take the step.

So many of us feel we can’t cross the bridge because we don’t have the right credential or the proper background. It’s never what you are that holds you back-it’s what you think you’re not. That’s why we need to grow faith if we are to achieve our goals. 

Faith is like the tides it is not always constant. The only way to keep your faith “tuned up” is to be true to your spiritual journey. Turn your eyes inward toward the spirit that you are. See the light. See the love. We are reflections of universal love.

We live in a make-believe world many masks carried. Global yet not knowing next door neighbour. Nuclear family, neutron living. All of us exist, we do, but do not live life, we merely play roles, sister, daughter, friend, businessman, professional. We carry ever growing emotional baggage which diffuses our focus hence we contradict with everyone and everything.

Our search for permanent bliss consciousness in the external ephemeral world is wrong. This bliss is not a thing to be brought from outside, it can only come from within; this requires great earnestness and concentration, not on some single purpose, but in the understanding of the complex problem of living.

When we attain that state of consciousness, the experiences are totally unknown on the human level of life. That is the goal which the world is seeking, even though it does not realize quite what that goal is or how to attain it?

Life is Simple. It is all in the mind.

Why do we over think things? Why do we feel the need to second-guess what is really going on with what we think is going on? How many times you hear or talk from someone that was pretty straightforward, but you felt the need to read into the “deeper message?” Let’s be honest for in this case we all are guilty of such things. Whether it’s a comic or tight slap conversation from your friend or anyone whom we interact, we always think there is an alternative meaning behind these people’s words. Sometimes what a person says is exactly what they mean; there is nothing up for discussion. But many people misinterpret things which cause controversy.

Follow your gut and your instincts, more often than not, it will work out in your favor. You may need to enforce some sort of personal time limit as each person differs.Another great option is to go out and to distract yourself and to make a quick decision later on. Let yourself relax and come back to the decision when you have internally calmed down. Perhaps the most helpful thing to do is to stop thinking of the worse case scenario. This is a problem many over thinkers face and is perhaps the hardest to overcome.

Nothing external to us can give us permanent and true happiness. We actually have all we need to be truly happy within us.The art of having less but enjoying our lives more, involves a few simple changes in perspective. First, we must understand where our true values lie and focus on them. Then, we must take time to enjoy the simple things, and slow down and see what’s right in front of us. With this make life simple and its all in the mind.

Live the moment

Ramalingam : Listen during leisure

Click Here: Worth listening during leisure

Science of Yoga

Yoga defines itself as a science--that is, as a practical, methodical, and systematic discipline or set of techniques that have the lofty goal of helping human beings to become aware of their deepest nature. The goal of seeking to experience this deepest potential is not part of a religious process, but an experiential science of self-study. Religions seek to define what we should believe, while a practical science such as meditation is based on the concrete experience of those teachers and yogis who have previously used these techniques to experience the deepest Self. Yoga does not contradict or interfere with any religion, and may be practiced by everyone, whether they regard themselves as agnostics or members of a particular faith.

There is much confusion about exactly what yoga is, especially since there seem to be so many approaches, all described by the name "yoga." A mountain climber may take a variety of routes to reach the top of a mountain. From the plain at the base of the mountain, all these paths seem distinct and different, but from the mountain summit, the view is always the same! The same is true of the seeming diversity of the yogic paths. These different paths are not mutually exclusive or conflicting, but are intended to accommodate the various inclinations, personalities, and temperaments of individual students, and yet they all have the same goal. These various paths of yoga include:

1) Hatha yoga, which deals mostly with body and breathing exercises that help the student to become aware of his or her internal states. Hatha yoga exercises help to make the body a healthy and strong resource for the student.

 

2) Karma yoga, which means "the yoga of action." This path teaches us to do our own duties in life skillfully and selflessly, dedicating the results of our actions to humanity. Practicing this aspect of yoga helps us to live unselfishly and successfully in the world without being burdened or distressed.

3) Jnana yoga is the path of knowledge and wisdom. This path involves intense mental discipline. Knowledge dawns as we learn to discriminate between the real and the unreal, between the transient and the everlasting, between the finite and the infinite. This path is meant for only a fortunate few, who are aware of the higher and subtler realities of life.

4) Bhakti yoga is the yoga of devotion. This path is the way of love and devotion. It is the path of self-surrender, of devoting and dedicating all human resources to attaining the ultimate reality.

5) Kundalini yoga is a highly technical science. The guidance of a competent teacher is required to learn methods for awakening the serpent-like vital force that remains dormant and asleep in every human body.

6) Mantra yoga, which involves meditation and the use of certain sounds called "mantras," which are traditionally transmitted to the student, and are used as objects of concentration. Mantras help the student in self-purification, concentration, and meditation. These mantras were discovered in deep meditation by highly advanced sages and teachers.

Finally, there is raja yoga, the "royal path" which is very scientific and thorough. By following this path methodically, we learn to refine our desires, emotions, and thoughts, as well as the subtle impressions and thoughts that lie dormant in the unconscious mind. Raja yoga helps us to experience the inner reality by using an eight-runged ladder. The ultimate goal is for the aspirant to attain the eighth rung, samadhi.

So which yoga do you like to practise in your life?

Can you find your soul age?

According to many spiritual teachers, all human beings are, in reality, spiritual beings on a human journey. We reincarnate as human beings in order to evolve as souls.

Our ultimate aim is to become fully conscious and capable as unique individual expressions of All That Is.

Check out this to find how old is your soul http://www.gotoquiz.com/how_old_is_your_soul_1

Scaling happiness: the science of smile

Much of the research confirms things we’ve always suspected. For example, in general Healthy people are happier than sick people. Rich people are happier than poor people. And so on.


That said, there have been some surprises. For example, while all these things do make people happier, it’s astonishing how little any one of them matters.

Yes, a new house or a new spouse will make you happier, but not much and not for long. As it turns out, people are not very good at predicting what will make them happy and how long that happiness will last. They expect positive events to make them much happier than those events actually do, and they expect negative events to make them unhappier than they actually do.

In both field and lab studies, we’ve found that winning or losing an election,  getting or not getting a promotion, passing or failing an exam—all have less impact on happiness than people think they will. A recent study showed that very few experiences affect us for more than three months.

When good things happen, we celebrate for a while and then sober up. When bad things happen, we weep and whine for a while and then pick ourselves up and get on with it.

can reaserchers measure scaling of happiness in humans?

mahakavi bharathiyar padal

அச்ச்மில்லை யச்சமில்லை அச்ச்மனெப தில்லையே

இச்ச்கத்து ளோரெல்லாம் எதிர்த்துநின்ற பொதினும்

அச்ச்மில்லை யச்சமில்லை அச்ச்மனெப தில்லையே

துச்ச்மாக வெண்ணிநம்மை தூறுசெய்த பொதினும்

அச்ச்மில்லை யச்சமில்லை அச்ச்மனெப தில்லையே

பிச்சைவாங்கி உண்னும்வாழ்க்கை பெற்றுவிட்ட பொதினும்

அச்ச்மில்லை யச்சமில்லை அச்ச்மனெப தில்லையே

இச்சைகொண்ட பொருளெலாம் இழந்துவிட்ட பொதினும்

அச்ச்மில்லை யச்சமில்லை அச்ச்மனெப தில்லையே

கச்சணிந்த கொங்கைமாதர் கண்க்ள்வீசு போதினும்

அச்ச்மில்லை யச்சமில்லை அச்ச்மனெப தில்லையே

நச்சைவாயி லேகொண்ர்ந்து நண்பரூட்டு பொதினும்

அச்ச்மில்லை யச்சமில்லை அச்ச்மனெப தில்லையே

பச்சையூ னியைந்த்வேற் படைக்ள்வந்த பொதினும்

அச்ச்மில்லை யச்சமில்லை அச்ச்மனெப தில்லையே

உச்சிமீது வானிடிந்து வீழுகின்ற் பொதினும்

அச்ச்மில்லை யச்சமில்லை அச்ச்மனெப தில்லையே

Do you sometimes feel people are used and thrown?

From my own experience: "Good People" are good to themselves as well as to others. If you are good to yourself, you don't allow yourself to be "used". Subjugating all of your own dreams, desires, thoughts and needs in favor of someone else's is NOT good, unless you do it with no expectation of a return. If you feel "used" it is because your expectations aren't met. If you decide to sacrifice yourself, you aren't being "used", it is a decision you willingly made. 

You have a right to get a return on your investment (of love, time, affection, money, loyalty, work) but you need to express what you expect and hold the other party accountable. If give without getting and don't like it, the options are (1)to continue the status quo and continue your dissatisfaction, (2)stop giving, (3) define with the other party what the expectations are, or (4) give to someone or something that is appreciative in a way that pleases you.

This may seem like unsympathetic, but it isn't. The pain of being cast aside after devoting to something, and the above is what I learned from the experience. There are some people who can give without any expectation, and I think we all do that from time to time, but I don't see that working in an ongoing relationship, whether at work or at home or with friends. No one but you is responsible for your own happiness. If you feel cast aside, maybe you need to cultivate new friends, develop new interests or pursue old dreams. You are the only person who can "throw you out". You still exist and can still become happy with yourself.

Also some "good people" allow themselves to be used. They don't see the need or don't know how to set boundaries with others through their life. It's like killing yourself with your own kindness. (reverse of killing them with kindness) but it means the same thing...basically. 

If you allow others to walk over you and use you, it does not teach them how to respect others and they certainly won't respect you or really appreciate anything you do for them. You basically are teaching the users to continue to be users, not givers and you definitely are teaching them to use you. 

Then you wonder where all the people are that you were so kind to. Everything you did for these people over the years meant so very much to you, you really cared and assumed it meant the same to them and they were receiving with the same caring heart you were giving with. It's not good to judge others by your own standards because they just may not be the same.

However......you have your sweet kind heart, your integrity,honor and caring for others. That's really special in my book.

One of my big, difficult lessons in life, I am grateful I learned it.

Live each and every moment mindfully

Life with Aerobic vs Anaerobic Exercises

The literal meaning of aerobics is oxygen. Hence, aerobic exercise can be defined as the one, which involves the use of oxygen to produce energy, whereas anaerobic exercise makes the body to produce energy without using oxygen.


Anaerobic exercises are high intensity workouts that are performed for a short time. On the contrary, aerobic exercises generally simple exercises and are performed for a longer time, at moderate intensity.

Aerobic exercise is slow, steady state exercise that requires oxygen and can be done for long periods of time. Anaerobic exercise is short bursts of strength and power (weight training, plyometrics, high intensity running intervals) that last only 30-45 seconds.
Aerobic exercises train your muscles to use fat more efficiently, which causes them to burn less of it. The more you train, the easier the exercises get, and your body burns even less fat.
Anaerobic training is more effective and efficient for weight loss. It’s still cardiovascular, but you’re working at a greater intensity than aerobic training. Your heart and lungs get a workout because of the demand from the muscular system, rather than the reverse—your muscles moving because of cardiovascular demand. Anaerobic training requires greater muscular demand than aerobic training, thus elevating your heart rate and building fat-burning lean muscle.

When you perform aerobic exercise, you will notice an increase in the heart beat rate and the rise in your level of respiration. Energy is provided by carbohydrate and fats, when you work out the muscles. On the other hand, the sources of energy during anaerobic activity are adenosine tri phosphate (ATP) and creatine phosphate.
Choose to do aerobic or anaerobic to enjoy healthy life!

Celebrating Life

Xenotransplantation is the use of live nonhuman animal cells, tissues and organs in human patients. These cells can be implanted or enclosed in a device that is used outside the body ("ex vivo perfusion"). Lord Ganesha is the God of Xeno transplantation surgery. He is the elephant headed God. The birthday of Lord Ganesha is 'Ganesh Chaturthi' and this year it is celebrated on 19th Sep.

Today, with shortage of organs the world over, the attractive option of using animal organs is being explored all the time. If research could overcome rejection (antigen- antibody reaction), then, using animal body parts for humans could become a reality. Some examples of animal tissue that is used in the humans include heart valves that are derived from pigs.


Ganesha has an elephant’s head on the human body. The transplant is believed to have been performed by Lord Shiva. The scientific significance of Ganesha’s form may be interpreted as follows-
» Lord Ganesha looks abnormally obese, especially so in the regions of his abdomen and chest. After transplant surgery almost all patients receive steroids leading to a similar obesity. One wonders if Ganesha was on a long-term high dose of steroids after the transplant? No other Indian God is shown with this type of physique.

» Lord Ganesha’s accompanying mate is shown as a mouse – which sits infront or shown along with him. Most of the transplant research is done on mice before it is extrapolated on humans. There are reasons to ponder if the mouse is depicted for a purpose; giving the small animal its dues.

» After the transplant surgery, Lord Shiva is believed to have given Ganesha an elixir to drink. One cannot help speculating if this was some potion containing an anti-rejection medication. It is common practice to use similar booster anti-rejection drugs during transplant surgeries performed today.

Solid organ transplants are now common venture and almost any organ can be transplanted. Recently there have been instances of face transplants; however head transplant is the most complex of all transplants and no one has attempted this feat. Xeno-transplants of the head are unlikely to be used and can be only be confined to mythological stories such as that of Lord Ganesha.

Ganesha holds a unique niche in the minds of millions of devotees the world over. On the tenth day, the festivities of Ganesh Chaturthi meet a watery end, when clay idols of Ganesh are immersed in local water bodies. This is in accordance to the law of natural recycling.


These celebrations should also trigger thoughts that question their validity and prompt us to ponder on their significance, if any! Although we indulge in treason and murder, what makes us unique, as a race, is the ability to donate our body parts to revive a fellow human; the supreme sacrifice- to donate life! Let this be the presiding thought as we celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi this year and in the years to come.

Live Life to the Fullest!

"Life is not about chances, its about the choices you make" And it did quite sum up. Someone not so long ago asked "Why do we live life abiding by rules?" Answer was that it takes courage to break the mold and delineate oneself from the accepted norms of society and humanity as a whole. Pondering on the subject, maybe it is lack of courage sometimes, but many a times it takes character- playing by the rules even when your convictions are against them. It takes character to put other's needs, beliefs and welfare above your own.


That being said, life demands spontaneity and breaking away from the typical, every once in a while. Most people including are however used to planned decisions, calculated risks and anticipated outcomes. The most defining moments of  life were the choices made based on instincts, faith and convictions. Live each moment passionately and ardently within all notions and boundaries of right and wrong.

It was easy sometimes. You just have to find the one thing that you'd die for and then live for it. Some people might live to achieve it, others to sustain it and some others in search of it. No matter what the endeavor, it would have been worth it. After all, like some wise man once said "You go through life only once. But if you do it right, once is enough.